St. Paul daily globe., 1887-10-23
AND WHY NOT?
Minneapolis Will Bid for the
National Political Con-
VentiOns,
And Show 1t is the Best City
in the Nation for the
Purpose.
Every Reason Why the Great
Parties Should Convene
Here in 1888.
Potent Political Factors at
Work in the Great North
west Section.
Minneapolis People Enthusi-
astic on the Subject of
These Great Events.

Those cities which hope to compass
the honor and nOtOriety of cOrraling one
or more OF the national political cenven-
tons OF 1888, are now hard at work lay
ing the ropes. Chicago is confidently
relying on her prestige to again be the
favored location, while indianapolis and
st. Louis are vigorously setting forth
their claims and pretensions.
What is Minneapolis going to do about
it?
There has been tacit understanding
for overa year that the Flour City would
make a bid of no small dimensions for
the honor of being known as the con-
Yention city, and when the Exposition
building was erected, the arrangement
OF the third floor and light we'll was
made with particular reference to Just
such an event. But tacit understand
1ngS and local arrangements will not
Drlng convention here and other aSpir-
Ing cities know it. Minneapolis wants
the two great conventions of next wear
and as many more as possible. and to
get them must settle down to hard work.
In the selection of a city the choice is
SONSIIcu ny local reasons, general rea-
sons and political reasons.
Minneapolis can furnish them all.
There are six different and particular
reasons which will be seriously cOnsid-
cred by any of the national conven tions.
and they are as follows:
Geographical location.
Railroad facilities.
Hotel accommodations.
Hall arrangements.
Climatic features.
Political effect.
There may be more, but these are the
important ones, and Minneapolis will
MI the requirements so thoroughly that
II the attention of the public and the
national committees is properly en-
listed, the city cannot be entirely ig-
nOred. Geographically, Minneapolis lies
TO the north of the center, but at the
same time is located in a section of
country that is now attracting more
general attention than all others com
bined. Of the throngs of people who
follow up and attend great national con-
VentiOnS. the interest and CURIOSITY of
more would impel a visit to the North
western wonderland than to any other
section of the United States where a
convention would be practicable. AS
between Pacific and Atlantic, it's loca-
ton is exactly central; so that geograph-
ically speaking the choice of Minnie
apOliS could not be improved upon. It's
railroad facilities are unequaled, and its
direct connections with the great trunk
lines of the country so admirably adapt
1t for the proposed purpose that it is un-
necessary to dilate further upon them.
Experience has shown that its hotel ac-
commodations are sufficient for any de-
mand that may be made upon them. For
fbp nllrnOSPS of Cnch Uafbnrinrc IN
hotel systems of st. Paul, Minneapolis
and MinnetOnka are one and present,
for the tirSt-claSS hotels, 1000 rooms.
capable of accommodating $4,000 guests.
with 100 smaller hotels with accOmmo-
dationS Tor 25,G00 people and 500 board
ing houses for the rest. Minneapolis
took care of 100000 strangers during the
q. A. K. encampment of 1884, when the
population did not exceed 10000 souls.
and could easily accommodate that
number now. AS far as convention
hall is concerned the Exposition offers
one that cannot be equaled in the en-
tire country. By flooring over the light
well, for the convention, and extending
the third floor back to the wall 25.OO0
persons could sit within sight and hear
Ing of every incident of the proceedings.
Such an arrangement would be vast
improvement on anything Chicago or
St. Louis could offer. OF Minneapolis
summer climate little need be said. 1t
is the summer city par excellence of
the nation, and one Whlff of Mime
tonka in June, when the old convention
cities are bathed in perspiration, would
bring to the delegates a clearness of
mind and Vigor of body that would make
mistakes impossible.
Last of all the political effect
Both parties are concerned in this, and
an argument for one is equally effective
for the other. The Republicans all over
the country realize that they have suf-
fered losses in the Northwest, and es-
pecially in Minnesota, and they admit
in the privacy of their own councils that
the state is in danger. 1t is a matter of
grave moment, then, to sustain their
position and maintain their hold here by
the influence of a convention. The
Democrats, on the other hand, have
made gains and expect more, and there
is no better way to accomplish this end
than by bringing the seat of war, the
field of the great skirmish, right here
in Minnesota. The Republicans also
urge that the admission of Dakota be
made national issue, and that the con.
vention be held as near Dakota as pos.
sible.
These are all great reasons.
Shall Minneapolis have the great con.
yentions, or shall she sit supinely by
and see the prizes go elsewhere? 1t is
understood that the Republicans have
already inaugurated a movement look
ing to this end, and the Democrats
should not be behind them.
80
The people are interested in this and
they say so. GLOBE reporters have
skirmished among them and gathered
up variety of opinions of all manner
of men. They lend interest to the sit
uation.
VARIOUS OPINIONS.
A. B. Nettleton-I should regard it as an ex
cellent thing for Minneapolis to have one oil
the two national conventions held here ir
1883. The city has passed the point where il
needs much free advertising, yet the assem-
bling here of either the Republican or Dem
ocratic national convention next year would
be a kind of recognition of our metropolitan
standing which would be not only gratifying
to a reasonable local pride, but of real an6
solid value to the city. Naturally, think
fhe Republican convention would be mos
desirable but we could take good care OF
either. Our accommodations, as to hotel:
and assembly room. are ample. particularly
in view of the proximity of St Paul hotels
We should certainly secure one of the ma
tional conventions.
Mayor Arnes-I am satisfied the delegate.
xuouId he the hest pleaSed and satisfied set Ot